Chapter 24 - THE MARBLE FLOOR AGAINTen years after original incident, Solmere lobby renovated.
The marble stayed.
Charlotte insisted.
White orchids changed seasonally.
Chandeliers restored.
Reception desk original.
She was thirty-nine.
Holden forty-seven.
Mae six.
Malcolm retired but visited.
Monica became Director of Housekeeping Operations across group after promotion over years.
Sebastian ran independent real-estate firm and remained shareholder.
Celestine had rebuilt company, no longer tabloid fixture.
Victor Harcourt retired.
Solmere smaller, healthy.
Charlotte walked lobby with Mae.
Child ran ahead.
“Slow.”
Mae stopped near exact place.
“Is this where lady pushed you?”
Charlotte blinked.
Someone told? Likely family story.
“Who said?”
“Uncle Sebastian.”
Traitor.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“She thought I didn’t belong.”
“But you own.”
Charlotte smiled.
“That wasn’t point.”
Mae frowned.
“What point?”
“She shouldn’t have treated anyone that way, owner or not.”
Mae thought.
Then:
“Did you fire?”
“No.”
“She didn’t work here.”
“Did you arrest?”
“No.”
“Boring.”
Charlotte laughed.
“Real life often.”
Mae asked:
“What happened?”
“She apologized.”
“She had consequences.”
“She changed some.”
“Did you become friends?”
“Sort of.”
Children hate nuance.
At reception a plainly dressed older man hesitated.
Staff approached politely:
“Can I help you?”
No suspicion.
He was there to interview for engineering job.
Protocol worked.
Appearance not belonging.
Charlotte watched.
This mattered more than revenge scene.
Holden arrived carrying coffee.
“You’re sentimental.”
“No.”
“Standing on spot.”
“Mae dragged me.”
“Genetic irony.”
Charlotte glared.
He kissed cheek.
“Still own floor?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“I trip often.”
May you like
She laughed.
Opening callback.
